ROCKFORD — The Rockford Police Department’s first female deputy chief has submitted her retirement notice after 20 years as a Rockford cop.

Deputy Chief Lori Sweeney, 50, will leave the department July 7.

She was the last remaining member of the original command team Chief Chet Epperson put in place eight years ago. That group included Theo Glover, who retired in July 2011; Mike Booker, who retired in June 2012; and Greg Lindmark, who retired in August 2011.

Epperson said the departures are less a reflection of his management style and more a reflection of the demanding nature of executive-level police command.

“Whether in Rockford or a similar police agency across the country, there is a tremendous amount of demands in police leadership positions,” Epperson said. “These positions are difficult. They are very demanding. It’s not an 8-to-5 job. It’s after 5, it’s weekends, it’s holidays, officer-involved shootings, hostage situations, SWAT calls, barricaded subjects, evaluations, command issues, personnel issues, contract negotiations, implementation of initiatives.

“You hate to see people leave, but when they have the time and age in, they are going to go to do what is best for the benefit of their family and personal life. No one person makes or breaks the department. You have to wish them well and thank them for their service.”

Sweeney did not immediately return phone and email messages seeking comment. Since 2011, she has served as leader of the field services bureau, which includes uniformed patrol officers, traffic investigators, the M3 Streets Team, K-9 unit, community services and the school liaison unit.

She previously was deputy chief of the administrative services bureau.

Sweeney has looked to become a police chief elsewhere and has been a strong candidate. She was a finalist for the chief’s job in Little Rock, Arkansas, and in Schaumburg.

Her departure comes at a time when the police union’s long-simmering disagreements with Epperson’s leadership have resurfaced with the filing of a complaint with the Rockford Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

Terry Peterson, president of the Police Benevolent and Protective Unit 6, said the departure of the last of Epperson’s original commanders is “symptomatic of the discord that exists in the department.”

“It’s pretty clear there is a problem at the top of the department,” Peterson said.

Lt. Patrick Hoey said Sweeney was his direct supervisor and someone he has turned to for guidance dealing with personnel issues.

“I have enjoyed working with her,” Hoey said. “She had experience especially on the human resources side of the job and labor management. She was excellent with all of that. She was my go-to when I had a question about how to handle a personnel issue. I know she wants to be a police chief and that she will make a great chief.”

Page 2 of 2 - Epperson said Sweeney is a valuable member of the command staff who will be missed. He said no decision on a replacement has been made.

Sweeney’s departure could provide an opportunity to further reorganize the command structure to prepare for the full implementation of geopolicing and decentralized command.

“When they make a personal or professional decision to leave, we have to thank them for their service,” Epperson said. “It’s why it is very important that you continually develop future leaders for the department so that when you have someone within the department with 20, 30 years on the job, you have someone who can step into that place.”